Case of reintegration of women post incarceration

Women released from prison or jail face particular obstacles and challenges on reentry to the community, many of which are related to their childhood and to gender roles as women and mothers. This study relates the lived experience of one woman’s successful transition to economic and mainstream societal reintegration and family reconnection after release from prison and the insights gained by the researcher. Case study methodology congruent with Miller’s Relational-Cultural Theory philosophical framework was utilized in this in-depth, single case design and represents a unique case. The overall purpose of this descriptive and explanatory research was to explore precursors to criminality particular to women and the connective constructs enabling cognitive, psychological, and behavioral lifestyle change.

This qualitative study was a step in understanding how a formerly incarcerated woman successfully overcame obstacles to reconnection, employment, and reintegration into society, leading to the discovery of a structure comprising four major themes, nine minor themes, and three sub themes. Factors influencing the journey to jail were represented as clarity of  lifestyle consequences to self and others; factors initiating a turning point related to the participant’s dramatic life changing spiritual experience and resulting dynamic motivation; factors affecting reentry into the community were associated with increased understanding of self and others, increased confidence and self-esteem, attending college and obtaining employment; and factors supporting and maintaining successful reintegration were exampled by relational reconnection, mentoring opportunities, and community involvement.